Kukla's Korner Hockey

The Lightning is in an interesting place when it comes to the trade deadline.

Thanks to injured defensemen Mattias Ohlund and Brian Lee being on long-term injured reserve, it has about $3 million of cap space. It also will be getting back injured star Steven Stamkos before or after the break, a nice jolt of extra offense for a team that already averages 2.9 goals.

That means general manager Steve Yzerman can concentrate on adding blue-line depth or, if he wants to try to go big, a top-four player to really add some stability.

There are a couple of intriguing options, neither of which has been linked publicly to the Lightning but perhaps merit some consideration: the Islanders' Andrew MacDonald and Detroit's Kyle Quincey....

Quincey, 28, is a much more expensive option (he is making $4 million this season and could become unrestricted), but is a defensive specialist. And with players such as Victor Hedman and Mark Barberio able to move the puck, a stable, reliable presence in the defensive zone might be what Tampa Bay needs.

The Red Wings still are in the playoff hunt. But if Detroit decides it is not a Stanley Cup contender, Quincey, who averages 20:32 of ice time and is second on the team with 72 blocked shots, could become available. And don't forget Yzerman's connection and friendship with Red Wings GM Ken Holland.